Infant car seat and release actuator

ABSTRACT

An infant car seat includes a seat base and a stability leg. The stability leg is rotatably disposed under the seat base. The stability leg includes an upper leg tube, a rotary member and a first latch. The upper leg tube includes at least one opening. The rotary member includes a pivoting portion and an encircling portion. The pivoting portion is rotatably connected to the seat base. The encircling portion is connected to the pivoting portion and slidably disposed on the upper leg tube. The first latch is disposed on the rotary member, and adapted to detachably engage with the at least one opening for constraining a movement between the rotary member and the upper leg tube.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/023,405, filed Sep. 17, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/901,544, filed Sep. 17, 2019, bothof which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an infant car seat and a releaseactuator, and more particularly, to an infant car seat and a releaseactuator with an adjustable and easy-to-operation function.

Description of the Prior Art

An infant car seat is used to transport and protect infants in thevehicle. When the infant car seat is installed in the vehicle, a carseat base is secured to the vehicle via a latch belt or a vehicle belt,and the car seat base ensures the infant car seat is stably installed inthe vehicle. The infant car seat further disposes a stability leg on thecar seat base to protect the infants in the event of a vehiclecollision. The car seat base is held against the floor of the vehiclevia the stability leg, to prevent the car seat base from accidentalrotation relative to the vehicle seat resulted from frontal collision.The conventional stability leg includes two leg tubes and one latch, andthe latch constrains relative motion between the two leg tubes.Therefore, the conventional stability leg cannot provide multi-phaseadjustment for the infant car seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an infant car seat and a release actuatorwith an adjustable and easy-to-operation function for solving abovedrawbacks.

According to the claimed invention, an infant car seat includes a seatbase and a stability leg. The stability leg is rotatably disposed underthe seat base. The stability leg includes an upper leg tube, a rotarymember and a first latch. The upper leg tube includes at least oneopening. The rotary member includes a pivoting portion and an encirclingportion. The pivoting portion is rotatably connected to the seat base.The encircling portion is connected to the pivoting portion and slidablydisposed on the upper leg tube. The first latch is disposed on therotary member, and adapted to detachably engage with the at least oneopening for constraining a movement between the rotary member and theupper leg tube.

According to the claimed invention, the stability leg further includes alower leg tube and a second latch. The lower leg tube is slidablyassembled with the upper leg tube, and includes at least one hole. Thesecond latch is disposed on the upper leg tube, and adapted todetachably engage with the at least one hole for constraining a movementbetween the upper leg tube and the lower leg tube.

According to the claimed invention, the seat base includes a supportframe, and the rotary member further includes a contacting portionadapted to abut against the support frame for constraining a rotation ofthe stability leg relative to the seat base in an operation mode.

According to the claimed invention, the seat base includes a releaseactuator adapted to lock the stability leg for steadying the stabilityleg in a storage mode.

According to the claimed invention, the release actuator includes ahandle portion and a locking portion connected to each other. Thelocking portion is engaged with or disengaged from the stability leg.The handle portion is movably disposed on the seat base and adapted tobe applied by an external force for disengaging the locking portion fromthe stability leg.

According to the claimed invention, the release actuator furtherincludes a connection portion disposed between the handle portion andthe locking portion. Two ends of the connection portion are respectivelyassembled with the handle portion and the locking portion in a movablemanner.

According to the claimed invention, the release actuator furtherincludes a first resilient component disposed between the handle portionand the seat base, and further includes a second resilient componentdisposed between the locking portion and the seat base.

According to the claimed invention, the seat base includes a reclinedfoot. The release actuator is movably disposed inside the reclined foot.The locking portion is engaged with the stability leg when the handleportion is moved with rotation of the reclined foot via deformation ofthe first resilient component.

According to the claimed invention, the locking portion has a sunkenstructure adapted to be applied by an external force for disengaging thelocking portion from the stability leg.

According to the claimed invention, the upper leg tube further includesa tube body, a first blocker and a second blocker. The first blocker isdisposed on a top section of the tube body and adapted to constrain adownward motion of the upper leg tube relative to the rotary member. Thesecond blocker is disposed on a middle section of the tube body andadapted to constrain an upward motion of the upper leg tube relative tothe rotary member.

According to the claimed invention, the first latch includes a firsthousing, a first button and a first lock. The first button is movablydisposed on the first housing. The first lock is movably connected tothe first button and disposed inside the first housing for engaging withand disengaging from the at least one opening via motion of the firstbutton.

According to the claimed invention, the first button is moved inside thefirst housing in a first direction, and the first lock is moved insidethe first housing in a second direction similar to or different from thefirst direction.

According to the claimed invention, the first latch further includes afirst recovering component disposed between the first housing and thefirst button, or between the first housing and the first lock.

According to the claimed invention, the first button includes a firstengaging portion, and the first lock includes a second engaging portionmovably assembled with the first engaging portion.

According to the claimed invention, the first engaging portion and thesecond engaging portion respectively are a pin and a slotted structure,and a structural direction of the slotted structure is intersected withthe first direction and the second direction.

According to the claimed invention, the second latch includes a secondhousing, a second button and a second lock. The second button is movablydisposed on the second housing. The second lock is connected to thesecond button and movably disposed inside the second housing forengaging with and disengaging from one of the at least one hole viarotation of the second button.

According to the claimed invention, the second latch further includes asecond recovering component disposed between the second housing and thesecond button.

According to the claimed invention, the second lock is disengaged fromthe at least one hole via pulling down on the lower leg tube or pressingthe second button.

According to the claimed invention, the stability leg further includes afoot housing and an indicator. The foot housing is disposed on a bottomof the lower leg tube. The foot housing has a window. The indicator hasa main body, a first indication mark and a second indication mark. Themain body is movably disposed inside the foot housing. The firstindication mark and the second indication mark are disposed onrespective positions on the main body. One of the first indication markand the second indication mark aligns with the window in response tomotion of the main body relative to the foot housing.

According to the claimed invention, the main body has a first end and asecond end opposite to each other. The first end is protruded from oraccommodated inside a bottom of the foot housing according to motion ofthe main body. The first indication mark and the second indication markare disposed on the second end.

According to the claimed invention, the main body is disposed inside thefoot housing in a rotatable manner or in a slidable manner.

According to the claimed invention, the indicator further has an elasticcomponent disposed between the main body and the foot housing.

According to the claimed invention, a stability leg includes an upperleg tube, a rotary member and a first latch. The upper leg tube includesat least one opening. The rotary member includes a pivoting portion andan encircling portion. The pivoting portion is rotatably connected tothe seat base. The encircling portion is connected to the pivotingportion and slidably disposed on the upper leg tube. The first latch isdisposed on the rotary member, and adapted to detachably engage with theat least one opening for constraining a movement between the rotarymember and the upper leg tube.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the stability leg has theupper leg tube and the lower leg tube slidably assembled with eachother. The first latch is used to constrain the relative movementbetween the upper leg tube and the rotary member, and the second latchis used to constrain the relative movement between the upper leg tubeand the lower leg tube. The gross adjustment of the stability leg canlock the upper leg tube in an upper position for installing the infantcar seat in a shorter and center vehicle seat, and further lock theupper leg tube in a lower position for installing the infant car seat ina taller and outboard vehicle seat; the fine adjustment of the stabilityleg can lock the lower leg tube via one of the holes on the lower legtube to change an extended length of the stability leg.

These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt becomeobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment that isillustrated in the various figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an infant car seat and a vehicle seat accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the infant car seat in an operation modeaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the infant car seat m a storage mode according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a stability leg according to the embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a part of the infant car seat in the operationmode according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the part of the infant car seat in the storagemode according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a release actuator of a seat base according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of the release actuator m another view according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a part of the seat base according to theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of another part of the seat base according to theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the stability leg in a downward mode accordingto the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the stability leg m an upward mode according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of an upper leg tube, a rotary member and a firstlatch in a locking mode according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the upper leg tube, the rotary member and thefirst latch in an unlocking mode according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of the upper leg tube, the lower leg tube and thesecond latch in the lock mode according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of the upper leg tube, the lower leg tube and thesecond latch in the unlock mode according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a bottom of the stability leg in a non-contactmode according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the stability leg in the non-contact modeaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the bottom of the stability leg in a contactmode according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the stability leg in the contact modeaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. FIG. 1 is a diagram of an infant carseat 10 and a vehicle seat 12 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 2 is a diagram of the infant car seat 10 in an operationmode according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is adiagram of the infant car seat 10 in a storage mode according to theembodiment of the present invention. The infant car seat 10 can be fixedto the vehicle seat 12 and has a safety seat for protecting the child.The infant car seat 10 can include a seat base 14 and a stability leg16. The seat base 14 can be detachably fixed to the vehicle seat 12 viaa latch mechanism, which is not shown in the figure. The stability leg16 can be rotatably disposed under the seat base 14 for abutting againsta vehicle floor. The stability leg 16 can be unfolded to switch theinfant car seat 10 in the operation mode, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;the stability leg 16 further can be folded to switch the infant car seat10 in the storage mode, as shown in FIG. 3.

Please refer to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram of the stability leg 16according to the embodiment of the present invention. The stability leg16 can include an upper leg tube 18, a lower leg tube 20, a rotarymember 22, a first latch 24 and a second latch 26. The lower leg tube 20and the second latch 26 may be optional units and can be omitted in somepossible embodiment. For example, the upper leg tube 18 can have atleast one opening 28, and the rotary member 22 can be movably disposedon the upper leg tube 18, and the first latch 24 can be disposed on therotary member 22. The first latch 24 can be detachably engaged with theopening 28 to constrain a movement between the rotary member 22 and theupper leg tube 18, so as to adjust a length of the stability leg 16.

In the embodiment, the lower leg tube 20 can be slidably assembled withthe upper leg tube 18 and have at least one hole 30, and the secondlatch 26 can be disposed on the upper leg tube 18. The second latch 26can detachably engage with the hole 30 to constrain a movement betweenthe upper leg tube 18 and the lower leg tube 20, for adjusting thelength of the stability leg 16. The rotary member 22 can include apivoting portion 32 and an encircling portion 34. The pivoting portion32 can be rotatably connected to the seat base 14, which means thestability leg 16 can be folded and unfolded relative to the seat base 14via the pivoting portion 32. The encircling portion 34 can be connectedto the pivoting portion 32 and slidably disposed on the upper leg tube18. The upper leg tube 18 and/or the lower leg tube 20 can be pushed orpulled to change relative position between the encircling portion 34 ofthe rotary member 22 and the upper leg tube 18.

Please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 5 is a diagram of a part of theinfant car seat 10 in the operation mode according to the embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram of the part of the infant carseat 10 in the storage mode according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. The seat base 14 can include a support frame 36, and therotary member 22 can further include a contacting portion 38. As shownin FIG. 5, the stability leg 16 is unfolded, and the contacting portion38 can abut against the support frame 36 to constrain a further rotationof the stability leg 16 relative to the seat base 14. As shown in FIG.6, the stability leg 16 is folded, and the contacting portion 38 can beaway from the support frame 36.

Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 7 to FIG. 10. FIG. 7 is a diagram of arelease actuator 40 of the seat base 14 according to the embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram of the release actuator 40 inanother view according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.9 is a diagram of a part of the seat base 14 according to the embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram of another part of theseat base 14 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Therelease actuator 40 can be operated to lock the stability leg 16 tosteady the stability leg 16 in the storage mode. The release actuator 40can include a handle portion 42, a locking portion 44 and a connectionportion 46 connected to each other. The connection portion 46 can bedisposed between the handle portion 42 and the locking portion 44.

The handle portion 42 can be movably disposed on the seat base 14. Thelocking portion 44 can be engaged with or disengaged from a locked slot45 formed on a lowest part of the stability leg 16. Two ends of theconnection portion 46 can be respectively assembled with the handleportion 42 and the locking portion 44 in a movable manner. In addition,a first resilient component 48 can be disposed between the handleportion 42 and the seat base 14, and a second resilient component 50 canbe disposed between the locking portion 44 and the seat base 14. If anexternal force is applied to the handle portion 42 for pulling out, theconnection portion 46 can be driven by the handle portion 42 to pull outthe locking portion 44 for disengaging the release actuator 40 from thestability leg 16. If the external force is removed, a resilientrecovering force of the first resilient component 48 can move the handleportion 42 into the seat base 14, and a resilient recovering force ofthe second resilient component 50 can move the locking portion 44 backto an initial position.

Moreover, the seat base 14 can include a reclined foot 52, and therelease actuator 40 can be movably disposed inside the reclined foot 52.If a height of the infant car seat 10 is intending to change, thereclined foot 52 can be rotated to protrude from or get back into ahousing 54 of the seat base 14, and the first resilient component 48 canbe deformed to adjust the connection portion 46, for allowing motion ofthe handle portion 42 due to rotation of the reclined foot 52, andkeeping the locking portion 44 stably engaged with the stability leg 16.The connection portion 46 may be a flexible strap or solid material.

In a possible situation, the locking portion 44 can have a sunkenstructure 56. The external force may be applied to the sunken structure56 of the locking portion 44 for pulling out, and the locking portion 44can be disengaged from the stability leg 16. When the external force isremoved, the resilient recovering force of the second resilientcomponent 50 can move the locking portion 44 back to the initialposition, for engaging with the stability leg 16.

Please refer to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. FIG. 11 is a diagram of thestability leg 16 in a downward mode according to the embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram of the stability leg 16 in anupward mode according to the embodiment of the present invention. Theupper leg tube 18 can further include a tube body 58, a first blocker 60and a second blocker 62. The first blocker 60 can be disposed on a topsection of the tube body 58. The second blocker 62 can be disposed on amiddle section of the tube body 58. When the upper leg tube 18 is moveddownward relative to the rotary member 22, the first blocker 60 can abutagainst the rotary member 22 to constrain a downward motion of the upperleg tube 18. When the upper leg tube 18 is moved upward relative to therotary member 22, the second blocker 62 can abut against the rotarymember 22 to constrain upward motion of the upper leg tube 18.

Please refer to FIG. 11 to FIG. 14. FIG. 13 is a diagram of the upperleg tube 18, the rotary member 22 and the first latch 24 in a lockingmode according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is adiagram of the upper leg tube 18, the rotary member 22 and the firstlatch 24 in an unlocking mode according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. The first latch 24 can include a first housing 64, a firstbutton 66, a first lock 68 and a first recovering component 70. Thefirst button 66 can be movably disposed on the first housing 64. Thefirst lock 68 can be movably connected to the first button 66 anddisposed inside the first housing 64. The first recovering component 70can be disposed between the first button 66 and the first housing 64, orbetween the first lock 68 and the first housing 64. If the externalforce is applied to the first button 66, the first button 66 can bemoved to actuate and disengage the first lock 68 from the opening 28 onthe upper leg tube 18. If the external force is removed, a resilientrecovering force of the first recovering component 70 can move andengage the first lock 68 with the opening 28 on the upper leg tube 18.

In the embodiment, the first button 66 can be moved inside the firsthousing 64 in a first direction D1, and the first lock 68 can be movedinside the first housing 64 in a second direction D2. The firstdirection D1 can be perpendicular to the second direction D2 accordingto structural design of the first button 66 and the first lock 68. Forexample, the first button 66 can include a first engaging portion 72,and the first lock 68 can include a second engaging portion 74 movablyassembled with the first engaging portion 72. The first engaging portion72 and the second engaging portion 74 respectively can be a pin and aslotted structure. A structural direction of the slotted structure canbe intersected with the first direction D1 and the second direction D2,so that relative motion between the first engaging portion 72 and thesecond engaging portion 74 can transform the external force in the firstdirection D1 into a pushing force applied to the first lock 68 in thesecond direction D2.

In other possible embodiments, the first button 66 may be turned to theleft at ninety degrees, so the first button 66 can be moved in the firstdirection D1 similar to the first lock 68 moved in the second directionD2, and a structural length direction of the first button 66 can beparallel to a structural length direction of the first lock 68, which isnot shown in the figures. The external force can push the first button66 from the left to the right, to actuate and engage the first lock 68with the opening 28 on the upper leg tube 18; when the external force isremoved, the resilient recovering force of the first recoveringcomponent 70 can move and disengage the first lock 68 from the opening28 on the upper leg tube 18. Besides, the first button 66 may be rotatedin a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction foractuating the first lock 68, which depends on a design demand, and adetailed description is omitted herein for simplicity.

Please refer to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16. FIG. 15 is a diagram of the upperleg tube 18, the lower leg tube 20 and the second latch 26 in the lockmode according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is adiagram of the upper leg tube 18, the lower leg tube 20 and the secondlatch 26 in the unlock mode according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. The second latch 26 can include a second housing 76, a secondbutton 78, a second lock 80 and a second recovering component 82. Thesecond button 78 can be movably disposed inside the second housing 76.The second lock 80 can be connected to the second button 78 and movablydisposed inside the second housing 76. The second recovering component82 can be disposed between the second housing 76 and the second button78, or between the second housing 76 and the second lock 80.

In the embodiment, the second button 78 can be rotatably disposed insidethe second housing 76. A part of the second button 78 can be protrudedfrom the second housing 76, and the other part of the second button 78can be accommodated inside the second housing 76 to abut against thesecond lock 80 in a detachable manner or in an undetachable manner. Ifthe external force is applied to the second button 78, the second button78 can be rotated in the counterclockwise direction to drive anddisengage the second lock 80 from the hole 30 on the lower leg tube 20,and then the lower leg tube 20 can be slid relative to the upper legtube 18, as conditions shown in FIG. 15 to FIG. 16. If the externalforce is removed, a resilient recovering force of the second recoveringcomponent 82 can rotate the second button 78 in the clockwise direction,and the second lock 80 can be driven to pierce through the upper legtube 18 and engage with the hole 30 on the lower leg tube 20; thus, thelower leg tube 20 cannot be slid relative to the upper leg tube 18, asconditions shown in FIG. 16 to FIG. 15.

In some possible embodiments, the resilient recovering force of thesecond recovering component 82 may rotate the second lock 80 forengaging the second lock 80 with the hole 30 on the lower leg tube 20.Besides, the second button 78 and the second lock 80 may be set aslinear slide design; for example, the second button 78 may be pushed orpulled to move in a straight direction, and the second lock 80 may beactuated by the second button 78 to move in another straight directionsimilar to or different from the foresaid straight direction.

The second lock 80 of the second latch 26 can have a specificallyinclined guiding structure 84 disposed on a front end of the second lock80. When the second lock 80 is inserted into the hole 30 on the lowerleg tube 20, the inclined guiding structure 84 can be pressed by thedownwardly moved lower leg tube 20 to disengage the second lock 80 fromthe hole 30 on the lower leg tube 20. The stability leg 16 can bestretched by at least two ways. One way is pulling down on the lower legtube 20; the second lock 80 can be pressed by the lower leg tube 20 todisengage from the lower leg tube 20, and then the lower leg tube 20 canbe downward moved relative to the upper leg tube 18. Another way ispressing the second button 78; the second button 78 can be rotated orshifted to actuate disengagement of the second lock 80 and the lower legtube 20.

Please refer to FIG. 17 to FIG. 20. FIG. 17 is a side view of a bottomof the stability leg 16 in a non-contact mode according to theembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a front view of thestability leg 16 in the non-contact mode according to the embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 19 is a side view of the bottom of thestability leg 16 in a contact mode according to the embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 20 is a front view of the stability leg 16 inthe contact mode according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The stability leg 16 can further include a foot housing 86 and anindicator 88. The foot housing 86 can be disposed on a bottom of thelower leg tube 20, and have a window 90 formed on a front surface of thefoot housing 86. The indicator 88 can include a main body 92, a firstindication mark 94, a second indication mark 96 and an elastic component98. The main body 92 can be movably disposed inside the foot housing 86.The first indication mark 94 and the second indication mark 96 can bedisposed on respective positions on the main body 92. The elasticcomponent 98 can be disposed between the main body 92 and the foothousing 86.

The main body 92 can be disposed inside the foot housing 86 in arotatable manner or in a slidable manner. In the embodiment, the mainbody 92 is rotatable inside the foot housing 86. The main body 92 canhave a first end 921 and a second end 922 opposite to each other. Thefirst end 921 can be protruded from or accommodated inside a bottom ofthe foot housing 86 according to motion of the main body 92. The firstindication mark 94 can be a red color mark formed on a lower position onthe second end 922 of the main body 92, and the second indication mark96 can be a green color mark formed on an upper position on the secondend 922 of the man body 92.

If the stability leg 16 is suspended and does not abut against thevehicle floor, the first end 921 can be protruded from the bottom of thefoot housing 86, and the second end 922 can be located at high positionto align the first indication mark 94 with the window 90, as shown inFIG. 17 and FIG. 18; the exposed red color mark represents the infantcar seat 10 is in an incorrect installed mode. If the stability leg 16is lowered to abut against the vehicle floor, the first end 921 can berotated in the counterclockwise direction by pressure to accommodateinside the bottom of the foot housing 86, and the second end 922 can bemoved downward to align the second indication mark 96 with the window90, as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20; the exposed green color markrepresents the infant car seat 10 is in a correct installed mode. Whenthe stability leg 16 is lifted, a resilient recovering force of theelastic component 98 can rotate the main body 92 in the clockwisedirection to align the first indication mark 94 with the window 90.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, an amount of the opening 28can be less than an amount of the hole 30, so the first latch 24 can beused as gross adjustment, and the second latch 26 can be used as fineadjustment. Relative motion between the first latch 24 and the upper legtube 18 can be executed for a start to rapidly extend the indicator 88close to the vehicle floor; then, relative motion between the secondlatch 26 and the lower leg tube 20 can be executed to abut the indicator88 against the vehicle floor tightly. When the infant car seat 10 isfolded, the gross adjustment and the fine adjustment can be executedsimultaneously or individually in accordance with an operation custom.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the stability leg has theupper leg tube and the lower leg tube slidably assembled with eachother. The first latch is used to constrain the relative movementbetween the upper leg tube and the rotary member, and the second latchis used to constrain the relative movement between the upper leg tubeand the lower leg tube. The gross adjustment of the stability leg canlock the upper leg tube in an upper position for installing the infantcar seat in a shorter and center vehicle seat, and further lock theupper leg tube in a lower position for installing the infant car seat ina taller and outboard vehicle seat; the fine adjustment of the stabilityleg can lock the lower leg tube via one of the holes on the lower legtube to change an extended length of the stability leg.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerousmodifications and alterations of the device and method may be made whileretaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the abovedisclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and boundsof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seat base configured to removably couple to aninfant car seat, the seat base comprising a release actuatorpositionable to engage a stability leg with a seat base of an infant carseat, the release actuator comprising: a locking portion adapted toreleasably engage with a free end of the stability leg; and a handleportion connected to the locking portion and movably disposed on theseat base, the locking portion being disengageable from the stabilityleg via an external force applied to the handle portion.
 2. The seatbase of claim 1, wherein the release actuator further comprises aconnection portion disposed between the handle portion and the lockingportion, two ends of the connection portion are respectively assembledwith the handle portion and the locking portion in a movable manner. 3.The seat base of claim 2, wherein the release actuator furthercompromises a first resilient component disposed between the handleportion and the seat base, and further comprises a second resilientcomponent disposed between the locking portion and the seat base.
 4. Theseat base of claim 3, wherein the seat base comprises a reclined foot,the release actuator is movably disposed inside the reclined foot, thelocking portion is engaged with the stability leg via deformation of thefirst resilient component when the handle portion is moved with rotationof the reclined foot.
 5. The seat base of claim 1, wherein the lockingportion has a sunken structure adapted to be applied by an externalforce for disengaging the locking portion from the stability leg.
 6. Theseat base of claim 1, wherein the free end of the stability leg is alocking end including a locking slot.
 7. The seat base of claim 1,wherein the free end includes a foot surface positionable to contact asupporting surface proximate the infant car seat.
 8. The seat base ofclaim 7, wherein the foot surface of the stability leg includes alocking slot.
 9. The seat base of claim 7, wherein the foot surface ofthe stability leg is rotatable into an exposed position when disengagedfrom the locking portion.